Using ESTAR "to be" with feelings
The verb estar is one of the most useful verbs in Spanish, as it not only describes location but also physical, mental, and emotional states or feelings.
Here are some sentences using estar to get you started. Further on in this lesson, we will look at the pronunciation of these and more Spanish sentences.
- Estoy muy enojado. "(I) am very angry."
- Mi padre y yo estamos ocupados. "My father and I are busy."
- ¿Estás cansado? "Are (you) tired?"
- La casa está limpia. "The house is clean."
- Mi habitación está ordenada. "My room is tidy."
- La tienda está cerrada. "The shop is closed."
- El niño está aburrido. "The boy is bored."
- El niño es aburrido. "The boy is boring."
- La manzana está verde. "The apple is unripe."
- La manzana es verde. "The apple is green."
Let’s practice more with this important verb. Express a condition or feeling by adding a descriptive adjective after estar.
Por ejemplo:
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You can also use estar in this way to describe the condition of various places or things.
Por ejemplo:
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When to Use ESTAR and When to Use SER
One of the most difficult things for new Spanish speakers to learn is the difference between ser and estar. Here is a summary to help you clarify their use:
Ser
| Use SER for... | Por Ejemplo | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | La casa es mía. | The house is mine. |
| Nationality | Yo soy de España. | I am from Spain. |
| Occupation | Él es profesor. | He is a teacher. |
| Permanent Characteristics | La puerta es vieja. | The door is old. |
| Time | Son las ocho y media | It's eight thirty. |
Estar
| Use ESTAR for... | Por ejemplo | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Estamos en Perú. | (We) are in Peru. |
| Weather | Está nublado. | (It) is cloudy. |
| Physical Health | Estoy enfermo. | (I) am sick. |
| Mental Health and Well Being | Estamos cansados. | (We) are tired. |
| Emotions | Estás triste. | (You) are sad. |
| Continuous actions in the present | Estás estudiando. | (You) are studying. |
The Importance of Getting SER and ESTAR Right
You may wonder why all the fuss. If you confuse ser and estar while you’re in a Spanish-speaking country, they’ll still understand you… right?
I hate to disappoint you, but no. The meaning of many sentences can completely change according to whether you use ser or estar… and sometimes in very embarrassing ways.
Por ejemplo:
Check out Spanish grammarfor more useful info! Here are some recommended lessons:
- Examples of Spanish adverbs include rápidamente (quickly), lentamente (slowly), suavemente (softly). Find out how to use them in this lesson.
- Spanish comparative and a superlative may sound confusing, but this lesson will help clear things up!
- What are Spanish definite and indefinite articles? This lessons all about them.
See you soon! ¡Hasta pronto!
Mauricio Evlampieff: Rocket Spanish